Lunar Eclipse

[strop]

OK, all you real photographers out there. Any advice/tips on how to photograph tomorrow night's eclipse.

 

[ackvil]

Funny you posted this, Mark. Earlier today I saw this article on the subject,

 

[sarimento1]

this is from last year's eclipse, April 2014.
D4, 600mm + 2X, f/8, ISO 6400, 1/4 sec, tripod.
cropped from about 1/4 of the frame.
it's virtually impossible to get a truly sharp image during totality without a motorized tracker.

 

[strop]

Thanks!. That's the kind of starting point I was looking for. It may be a moot point, though, because of the cloud cover. The longest lens I have is a 300mm for my K200, but I want to give it a try if the clouds clear.

 

[MarkM10431]

google looney 11 rule for shooting the moon. I'm going to try a couple different things tonight one zoom and one very wide angle for multiple captures

 

[sarimento1]

Thanks!. That's the kind of starting point I was looking for. It may be a moot point, though, because of the cloud cover. The longest lens I have is a 300mm for my K200, but I want to give it a try if the clouds clear.

in that case, look for interesting foreground subject, like top of a tall building or tower.
in eastern time zone, moon will be about 30-40 deg above horizon, so do the math on foreground item height and distance.
i use the lens wide open or third of a stop down and a remote release or timer.

 

[sarimento1]

google looney 11 rule for shooting the moon. I'm going to try a couple different things tonight one zoom and one very wide angle for multiple captures

lunar f/11 works with sunlit moon.
multiple captures are fun, too.
the arc may not be much more than 50 degrees, so medium-wide lens might work.

 

[Eeyore]

Full eclipse is around 4AM. I am going to enjoy the show (if it's not misty) without a camera.

 

[strop]

lens wide open or third of a stop down

Meaning f22 or such?

 

[sarimento1]

i use the lens wide open or third of a stop down.../QUOTE]

for a lens that is nominally 300/f5.6, then f/5.6 is the widest aperture.
'one third of a stop down' means one click smaller opening, which would probably be f/6.3.
from f/5.6, a full stop down is f/8.

A better explanation is here.

 

[MarkM10431]

going down a bit from wide open can provice a sharper image. you definitely want to spot meter if you are not going full manual. I have found it helpful to shoot brackets as well.

 

[strop]

I really appreciate you guys dealing with my beginner questions. I understand the basic concepts, but the terminology isn't all there yet!

Unfortunately we have dense cloud cover and it has just started to rain

 

[MarkM10431]

washout for me 76% chance of rain

 

[ackvil]

Hop a flight to AZ. Clear as could be!

 

[Edcculus]

Been raining 3 straight days here with no sign of quarter. I'll be missing this one.

 

[sarimento1]

Clouds here, too!

 

[Cash_Stronomer]

Went out, took coffee, binoculars and my camera. Enjoyed watching the clouds gather rain!

 

[sarimento1]

it rained here, then clouds cleared enough to watch it.
lots of moisture and haze, however.
will post a couple pics shortly.
cheers.

 

[BigWill]

Clear in Kansas City. We're enjoying the show.

 

[sarimento1]

ok, here is best i could do with the haze we have down here.
progression, from about 35%, to 90%, to approx 98%.
it's still dark now, actually, but the haze was getting thicker, the light dimmer and the bugs more annoying, so I came in.